I’m a big believer in chores for kids. My boys have been putting their toy trains, cars and action figures in their proper bins since toddlerhood. They’ve been tasked with laundry sorting, table clearing and even the eww-inducing grossness of composting since preschool. But judging by the amount of side-eye I used to get from other people’s kids (and some moms), I’ve always suspected I was in the minority when it came to chores for kids....
If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably seen a pamphlet at your OB’s office about umbilical cord blood banking and how it can offer some security down the line if you ever have to treat baby for certain medical conditions. But it’s a big decision—one where you’ll want to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Here, we help you figure out the difference between private and public cord blood banking, and how to choose from among the different cord blood banking companies out there....
“I will ALWAYS want to work full-time! I’ll NEVER stay at home with children!” Yep. I said that prior to children. And now? I’m eating my words. Recently, my husband and I made the very significant decision that I would be quitting my job after having baby number two due at the end of December. This decision came after much thought, postulating, and planning how we would make things work relying on only one income, even with my ability to supplement our income somewhat unreliably with small side-jobs....
Twice a year the clocks change for Daylight Savings Time, and twice a year it can wreak havoc on babies’ sleep schedules. Having a fussy infant on your hands is never any fun, but thankfully there are a few tricks to helping your little one adjust to the time change. Here’s how to get baby ready to spring forward or fall back—and what to do if the switch gets baby’s sleep off-track....
A whole lot happened in 2021. We got a new president, COVID vaccines were rolled out, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave a blockbuster Oprah interview, the Momnibus Act passed the House and Bindi Irwin gave birth (to name a few). So we wouldn’t blame you if you happened to miss one or two of the biggest moments on The Bump. Don’t stress—to keep that FOMO at bay, we’ve rounded up our most popular articles, social posts, baby names, content campaigns and pregnancy and baby products of the year, so you can relish it all....
If you’re trying to decide whether to risk diagnostic testing, it all depends on what makes you more nervous—being unsure about baby’s condition, or (very slightly) increasing miscarriage risk. For some parents, the test results will determine the next action—if the results show a serious birth defect, you may decide to terminate the pregnancy. Even if you plan on having the baby no matter what, though, there are reasons to test (though some parents feel that if they’re not considering termination, there’s no reason to increase the risk of miscarriage just for the sake of knowing)....
The best time to pump your breasts is early in the morning. This is because a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply peaks between 1 and 5 a.m. Breastfeed baby in the morning and then wait approximately 30 to 45 minutes before you begin pumping. It’s normal not to express large amounts of milk after a feeding session. By pumping your breasts at the same time each day you’re creating a routine for your breasts and, within a few days, your milk supply will increase....
Learning you’re expecting is absolutely cause for celebration—but breaking out that bubbly? Better save it for after you deliver. Sure, light drinking in everyday, pre-pregnancy life is thought to have some bonus health benefits (think of all those heart-healthy antioxidants in red wine), but the same isn’t true when it comes to consuming alcohol during pregnancy. What are the real effects of drinking alcohol while pregnant? Should you be worried if you had a drink in early pregnancy before you knew you’re expecting?...
This guest post is written by Scary Mommy’s Jill Smokler, author of Confessions of a Scary Mommy and Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies) in stores April 9. There’s this mom at the pre-school where Evan goes who, I used to think, was absolutely perfect. She’s one of the few stay-at-home-moms who shows up at school every day wearing something other than a uniform of yoga pants, a t-shirt and comfy shoes....
First off, there’s no perfect time to stop breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and then continuing while you introduce solids for at least a year. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for the first two years. And some mothers choose to nurse their kids all through the toddler years. That said, there are many reasons moms may wean earlier than the recommendations, and you’re the best judge of what’s right for you and baby....
You’re losing eggs every minute of every day. Not to put the pressure on, but when it comes to making a baby, time is seriously of the essence. Anate Aelion Brauer MD, MS, FACOG, a physician at the Greenwich Fertility and IVF Center, says that when a woman’s in her early 30s, it’s not just her egg count that doctors are worried about. “Starting in your 30s, which is the time most people plan to start their family, not only do your egg numbers start to decline, but the quality of your eggs is aging too,” she says....
Baby’s have incredibly sensitive skin, which makes them more likely to develop rashes than adults and older kids. But with all the different types out there, it can be hard to identify what the baby rash is, what’s causing it and how to treat it. Plus, no parent wants to see their precious little one with a red or bumpy reaction on their soft skin. Many might wonder how rashes affect baby’s comfort level and whether they cause itchiness or pain....
There’s no greater joy than cradling baby in your arms. But at some point, you’re gonna need those arms back. In comes the bouncer. It’s a great option for keeping baby safe and entertained while you tend to other tasks. Most bouncers keep things close to the floor, but thanks to Skip Hop’s new innovative option, the bouncer is getting a much-needed lift. WHAT WE LOVE With the turn of a knob, you can adjust the bouncer’s height from floor to couch-level—and anywhere in between....
Natural birth is both a beautiful and scary thing. Our Bumpies on the Natural Birth board shared their tips on prepping for labor: “We did the Bradley classes and really liked them. In the class they suggest various exercises to tone and prepare for labor and delivery like squats, butterflies, and pelvic tilts” — aylafsu88* " Hypnobirthing the book was less helpful to me than the classes and practicing the relaxation techniques as often as possible....
If breastfeeding isn’t in the cards for you, the formula aisle is your next stop. With all the different forms and types of formula it can seem pretty overwhelming at first, but with a little patience and your pediatrician’s help, things will fall into place. Formula comes in three main forms: premade, concentrate and powder. Premade While premade is the easiest type of formula to prepare (premade = no preparation), it’s also the most expensive and will take up lots of room on your shelves....
Giving birth is an incredible experience, but there are a lot of things that can happen to your body during the sometimes grueling process. One less-than-desirable possibility? Tearing while delivering vaginally. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), up to 79 percent of women who have a vaginal delivery experience some type of laceration. Since tearing and its aftermath are about as fun as they sound, it’s natural to want to do what you can to lower the risk that it’ll happen to you....
You carried baby for over nine months—nine+ long months of reading about baby’s week-by-week development, stocking up on newborn essentials and learning how to care for an infant. And then it happened: Your water broke, baby came and life as you knew it changed forever. Of course, by then you were prepped and ready for all the changes baby was about to go through. But how prepared were you for the toll it would all take on your body?...
Starting solids is an exciting and important milestone in baby’s development—one that not only opens them up to a brand-new world of flavors and textures, but also puts them on the right path to growing healthy and strong. Here’s what you need to know about how and when to start baby food for a smooth transition. In this article: When to start baby food How to start baby on solids Best first foods for baby Introducing allergenic foods...
Imagine being just weeks away from delivering; you’re tired and feeling huge, when suddenly you contract an extremely itchy, hive-like rash that flares up all around your belly, keeping you up at night as you scratch, scratch, scratch to seek relief. For the one in 160 to 300 pregnant women afflicted by it, PUPPP rash tops the list of the most agonizing parts of pregnancy. So what’s the deal with PUPPP rash, which—with its bumpy, veiny streaks—looks as terrible as it feels?...
Hand washing is without a doubt the most important way to protect you baby from getting sick. It is safe to let other people touch and hold her, but they should always wash their hands first. This is especially important with infants who have not yet had their first set of vaccinations. It’s also important to have good judgment about who your child is exposed to. Certainly someone who is coughing or sneezing is more likely to transmit germs to your baby....
